Paul Kent: Jack de Belin is entitled to the presumption of innocence - but not to play in the NRL

Rugby league is already reeling under negative publicity writes Paul Kent, and it is a stupid idea to let the St George Illawarra star continue to play.

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For too long the NRL has hidden behind the one-size fits all standard that a player is entitled to the presumption of innocence when hit with serious police charges, thereby allowing the NRL to remain inert on making the tough but correct call.

It sounded neat enough.

But also entitled to the presumption of innocence are offenders who plead not guilty but such is the nature of offence, or brief of evidence against them, that a judge orders them in to a remand centre until their court date arrives.

This seems to have always been overlooked by the NRL. And would sit more comfortably with NRL fans as the debate the Jack de Belin case.

De Belin has been cleared to play even though more damaging headlines and fan anger will occur as de Belin pursues his case through the courts while continuing to play.

St. George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin (left) leaves Wollongong Local Court. Picture: AAP Image

The State of Origin series will be here before we know it, for instance.

For a game already reeling under negative publicity it is a stupid move to let de Belin continue playing.

A whole raft of new and damaging debate will happen when Origin arrives, which could be avoided if de Belin was stood down now.

At the same time the game argued repeatedly that education was not a problem

Yet the players continued to infringe.

They overlooked the obvious problem.

If the players were properly educated, to levels well above community standards, and continued to infringe with all they had at stake, then clearly the punishment was not heavy enough to deter further infringements.

That will hopefully change after ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie announced the policy on player behaviour will be reviewed.

It is long overdue.